Washer

ABSTRACT

A one-piece annular washer of resiliently deformable material has in at least one of its opposite faces radially outer and inner coaxial annular grooves which together with the axial opening of the washer form radially outer and inner coaxial annular skirt portions of generally triangular cross section. Preferably, the washer further has similar skirt portions formed on the other of its opposite faces and an annular fin generally axially extended from the radially inner skirt portion on one of its opposite faces.

United States Patent Hammon 1 1 Feb. 15, 1972 [54] WASHER FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: George L. Hammon, Oakland, Calif.129,632 9/ 1932 Austria ..277/21 1 [73] Assignee: Chemetron Corporation,Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: .Ian. 29, 1970 I2] I Appl. No.: 6,655

I52] [1.8. CI ..277/207 [51] lnt.Cl ..Fl6j 15/10 [58l Field of Search..277/207-21 1 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,869,577 8/1932 Oberhuber ..277/21 1 2,244,135 6/1941 Wallace ...277/209 2,802,5038/1957 Zupa ..277/209 Primary ExaminerRobert l. Smith AssistantExaminer-Robert l. Smith Altorney-Nicholas M. Esser [57] ABSTRACT Aone-piece annular washer of resiliently deformable material has in atleast one of its opposite faces radially outer and inner coaxial annulargrooves which together with the axial opening of the washer formradially outer and inner coaxial annular skirt portions of generallytriangular cross section. Preferably, the washer further has similarskirt portions formed on the other of its opposite faces and an annularfin generally axially extended from the radially inner skirt portion onone of its opposite faces.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures WASHER BACKGROUND 05 THE INVENTION Thisinvention pertains to an improved washer having particular utility inmakinghigh-pressure gastight connections, whether between hand-tightenedparts or between wrenchtightened parts, as between a gas pressureregulator or other flow control device and a cylinder containing medicaloxygen or other gas under high pressure.

Conventionally, in connecting a gas pressure regulator or other flowcontrol device to a cylinder containing medical oxygenor gas under-highpressure, a valve body incorporating suitable valve means forselectively-permitting and stopping flow of the gas from the cylinder isthreadably mounted to the cylinder, and a stem having a nipple adaptedto be drawn into a valve outlet openingin the valve body is threadablyconnected to the gas pressure regulator or other flow control device.Suitable means are used to mount the stem to the valve body such thatthe nipple is drawn into the valve outlet opening. An example of aswivel yoke useful in mounting the stem to the valve body is'describedin a copending Pat. application,

' Ser. No. 8l2,l83, filed Apr. I, 19 69, andassigned to the assignee ofthe present application. As shown therein, in order to make ahigh-pressure gastight connection athreaded stud is used to draw'thenippleinto'thevalveoutlet opening, and a flat-faced washerfof nylon or.other resiliently deformable material is disposed around the nipplebetween an enlarged head of the stem and margin of the valve outletopening. with known flat-faced washers for this purpose, hand tighteningof the threaded stud may not be adequate. Unless a wrench or other toolis used to tighten the threaded stud, leakage may occur between theopposite flat faces of the washer and the respective washer-engagingsurface of the enlarged head of the stem'and of the margin of the valveoutlet opening.

' The preceding example illustrates a need for an improved washer havingparticular utility in making high-pressure gastight connections, whetherbetween hand-tightened parts or between wrench-tightened parts, asbetween a gas pressure regulator or other flow control device andacylinder containing medical oxygen or other gas under high pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the 'principal object of this inventionto provide an improved washer as aforementioned.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide an improvedwasher useful in'making a high-pressure gastig'ht connection between agas pressure regulatoror other flow control device and a cylindercontaining medical oxygen or other gas under'high pressure. v t I Inaccordance with the principles of this invention, the preceding objectsmay be attained in a one-piece washer of resiliently deformable materialhaving in at least one of its opposite faces radially outer and innercoaxial annular grooves which together with the axial opening of thewasher form generally axially extending radially outer and inner skirtportions of generally triangular cross section. Preferably, the washerfurther has similar skirt portions formed on the other of its oppositefaces and an annular fin generally axially extended from the radiallyinner skirt portion on one of its 0pposite faces.

These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention areevident from the following description with aid of the accompanyingdrawing, of a preferred embodiment of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENT In the drawing, a washer 10, which constitutesapreferredembodiment of this invention, is shown in combination with a swivel yoke12 and otherparts used in connecting agas pressure regulator R to avalve body 14 mounted to a cylinder (not shown) containing medicaloxygen or other-gas under high pressure. The valve body 14 incorporatessuitable valve means (not shown) for selectively permitting and stoppingHow of the gas from the cylinder as determined by the position of avalve stem 18 rotatable by means of a suitable handle or key (notshown). A stem 22,' which has a nipple 24 adapted to be drawn into avalve outlet opening (not shown) in the body 14, is threadably connectedto the gas pressure regulatorR at a threaded base 26; The swivel yoke 12is used to mount the stem 22 to the valve body 14 such that the nipple24' is drawn into 'the valve opening. In order to make a high pressuregastight connection, a-threaded stud 28 is used to draw the nipple 2 4into:the-valve outlet opening, as shown, and the washer I0 is disposedaround the nipple- 24 between-an enlargedhead 30on the stem 22 andthemargin of the valve outlet'opening. The foregoing arrangement ofparts, other than the washer 10, is similar to an arrangement of partsdescribed in detail in the aforementioned copending Pat. application,SerLNo. 8I2,I83, filed Apr. 1, l968', and assigned to the assignee' ofthe present application. The .washer I0 is used in place of a flat-facedwasher shown in such copending application. Reference may be had to suchcopending application for further details of the remaining parts. Thewasher 10 may be used with yokes of other types. v

The washer 10, which is molded or otherwise suitably fabricated in onepiece of resiliently deformable material such as nylon, is annular andhas an axial opening 40 and opposite faces 42 and 42', respectively.When the washer I0 is in place, as mentioned, the axial opening 40admits the nipple 24, and the faces 42 and 42' respectively engagethe'margin of the valve outlet opening in the valve body 14 and theenlarged head30onthestem22 In accordance with the principles of thisinvention, the washer 10 has in the face 42 radially outer andinnercoaxial annular grooves, 44 and 46 respectively, which together with theaxial opening 40 form radially outer and inner skirt p'ortions, 48 and50 respectively, of generally triangular cross section. Preferably, asshown, the washer 10 further has in the face 42 similar radially outerand inner grooves, 44' and 46 respectively, which together with theaxial opening 40 form similar radially outer and inner skirt portions,48' and 50 respectively, of generally triangular cross section.Preferably, the radially inner surfaces 52 and 52' respectively, of theradially outer skirt portions 48 and 48' are undercut as byapproximately 5 from the axis of the washer l0.

When the washer 10 is in'place in the aforementioned arrangement ofparts, both the radially outer skirt portions 48 and 48' and theradially inner skirt portions 50 and 50' are resiliently deformedbetween the margin of the valve outlet head 30 on the stem 22 will beblocked by means of the radially outer skirt portion 48'. Theundercutting of the surfaces 52 and 52' permits the radially outer skirtportions 48 and 48 to be flexed toward the axis of the washer 10 whenresiliently deformed. Thus, the pressure of any gas entering the grooves46 and 46 will tend to cause the radially outer skirt portions 48 and48' to be flexed oppositely in aid of the sealing function of the Washer10.

In the washer 10, as shown, the axial component of the deformation ofthe radially outer skirt portions 48 and 48' and of the radially innerskirt portions 50 and 50' is limited by opposite flat surfaces 54 and54' respectively, of an annular portion 56 disposed radially outwardlyof the radially outer skirt portions 48 and 48', and the axial width ofthe Washer 10 is slightly less at the limiting portion 56 than either atthe radially outer skirt portions 48 and 48' or at the radially innerskirt portions 50 and 50. As the nipple 24 is further drawn into place.the limiting portion 56 may be axially compressed between the margin ofthe valve outlet opening in the valve body 14 and the enlarged head 30on the stem 22 such that peripheral expansion of the washer 10 results.

As shown, the washer 10 further has an annular peripheral reinforcingportion 58 disposed radially outwardly of the limiting portion 56 toabsorb some of the stress of peripheral expansion of the washer 10. Inorder to minimize axial compression of the reinforcing portion 58, theaxial width of the washer i is substantially less at the reinforcingportion 58 than at the limiting portion 56. if desired, the washer maybe additionally reinforced as by means of a peripheral metal band or thelike (not shown).

As shown, the washer 10 further has an annular fin 60 generally axiallyextended from the radially inner skirt portion 50, and the axial opening40 is generally conical and of lesser diameter at the end adjacent thefin 60 than at the other end. Preferably, the mean diameter of the axialopening 40 is substantially equal to the diameter of the nipple 24.Thus, the nipple 24 may be passed easily into the axial opening 40 fromthe larger end of the axial opening 40, yet the smaller end of the axialopening 40 will have negative clearance with the nipple 24 adjacent thefin 60 to eliminate leakage between the nipple 24 and the washer 10. Thefin 60 is adapted to fit within the valve outlet opening of the valvebody 14 around the nipple 24 to seal the valve outlet opening except forthe nipple 24. Thus, the pressure of any gas entering the grooves 46 and46' will tend to press the fin 60 against the nipple 24 in aid of thesealing function of the washer 10.

Preferably, as shown, an annular fin 62 is axially extended from thelimiting portion 56 at the radially outer groove 44 in the face 42, anda similar annular fin 62' is axially extended from the limiting portion56 at the radially outer groove 44 in the face 42'. Preferably, therespective radially inner surfaces (not numbered) of the fins 62 and 62are undercut approximately as are the aforementioned radially innersurfaces 52 and 52', and the axial width of the washer 10 isapproximately equal both at the fins 62 and 62 and at the radially outerskirt portions 48 and 48.

When the washer 10 is in place in the aforementioned arrangement ofparts, the fins 62 and 62' are resiliently deformed together with theradially outer skirt portions 48 and 48'. Thus, any leakage that mayoccur between the radially outer skirt portion 48 and the margin of thevalve outlet opening in the valve body 14 will be blocked by means ofthe tin 62, and any leakage that may occur between the radially outerskirt portion 48' and the enlarged head 30 on the stem 22 will beblocked by means of the fin 62. The undercutting of the respectiveradially inner surfaces of the fins 60 and 62' permits the fins 62 and62' to be flexed toward the axis of the washer 10 when resilientlydeformed. Thus, the pressure of any gas entering the grooves 44 and 44will tend to cause the fins 62 and 62 to be flexed oppositely in aid ofthe sealing function of the washer 10.

Because the pressure of any gas entering either the grooves 44 and 44 orthe grooves 46 and 46' tends to aid the scaling function of the washer,as aforementioned. it is not necessary to wrench tighten the partsbetween which the washer I0 is disposed. Rather, the washer 10 isself-sealing. In like manner.

the number of radially spaced annular grooves in either or both of theopposite faces of such a washer may be increased.

if desired, for conditions of high pressure more extreme than thoselikely to be found in the preceding example.

Thus, it will be appreciated that all of the recited objects, advantagesand features of this invention have been demonstrated as obtainable in ahighly practical apparatus and one that is simple and positive inoperation. It will be further understood that although this inventionhas been described with respect to certain specific embodiments thereof,this invention is not limited thereto, since various modifications ofsaid invention will suggest themselves from the aforesaid descriptionand are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appendedclaims wherein there is claimed.

lclaim:

l. A one-piece annular washer of resiliently deformable material havingin at least one of its opposite faces radially outer and inner coaxialannular grooves, which together with the axial opening of said washerform radially outer and inner coaxial annular skirt portions ofgenerally triangular cross section, and havirig an annular fin generallyaxially extended from the radially inner skirt portion, the axial widthof said washer being greater at said fin than at said radially innerskirt portion.

2. The washer of claim 1 further having an annular portion limitingaxial deformation of said skirt portions, the axial width of said washerbeing slightly less at said limiting portion than either at saidradially outer skirt portion or at said radially inner skirt portion.

3. The washer of claim 2 wherein said limiting portion is disposedradially outwardly of said skirt portions and radially inwardly of anannular peripheral reinforcing portion.

4. The washer of claim 1 wherein the radially inner surface of saidradially outer skirt portion is undercut.

-5. The washer of claim 1 wherein the axial opening is generally conicaland of lesser diameter at the end adjacent said fin than at the otherend.

6. The washer of claim 1 wherein similar skirt portions are formed onthe other of its opposite faces and wherein the axial opening isgenerally conical and of lesser diameter at the end adjacent said finthan at the other end.

7. The washer of claim 6 wherein the radially inner surfaces of therespective radially outer skirt portions are undercut.

8. The washer of claim 1 further having an annular portion limitingaxial deformation of said skirt portions, the axial width of said washerbeing slightly less at said limiting portion than either at saidradially outer skirt portion or at said radially inner skirt portion,and having an annular fin axially extended from said limiting portion,the axial width of said washer being approximately equal both at saidfin which extends from said limiting portion and at said radially outerskirt portion.

9. The washer of claim 8 wherein the radially inner surface of the finaxially extended from said limiting portion is undercut.

10. The washer of claim 9 wherein the radially inner surface of saidradially outer skirt portion is undercut.

l l. The washer of claim 8 wherein similar skirt portions and a tinsimilar to the tin axially extended from said limiting portion areformed on the other of its opposite faces.

12. The washer of claim 11 wherein the radially inner surfaces both ofsaid similar radially outer skirt portions and of said similar fins areundercut.

1. A one-piece annular washer of resiliently deformable material havingin at least one of its opposite faces radially outer and inner coaxialannular grooves, which together with the axial opening of said washerform radially outer and inner coaxial annular skirt portions ofgenerally triangular cross section, and having an annular fin generallyaxially extended from the radially inner skirt portion, the axial widthof said washer being greater at said fin than at said radially innerskirt portion.
 2. The washer of claim 1 further having an annularportion limiting axial deformation of said skirt portions, the axialwidth of said washer being slightly less at said limiting portion thaneither at said radially outer skirt portion or at said radially innerskirt portion.
 3. The washer of claim 2 wherein said limiting portion isdisposed radially outwardly of said skirt portions and radially inwardlyof an annular peripheral reinforcing portion.
 4. The washer of claim 1wherein the radially inner surface of said radially outer skirt portionis undercut.
 5. The washer of claim 1 wherein the axial opening isgenerally conical and of lesser diameter at the end adjacent said finthan at the other end.
 6. The washer of claim 1 wherein similar skirtportions are formed on the other of its opposite faces and wherein theaxial opening is generally conical and of lesser diameter at the endadjacent said fin than at the other end.
 7. The washer of claim 6wherein the radially inner surfaces of the respective radially outerskirt portions are undercut.
 8. The washer of claim 1 further having anannular portion limiting axial deformation of said skirt portions, theaxial width of said washer being slightly less at said limiting portionthan either at saId radially outer skirt portion or at said radiallyinner skirt portion, and having an annular fin axially extended fromsaid limiting portion, the axial width of said washer beingapproximately equal both at said fin which extends from said limitingportion and at said radially outer skirt portion.
 9. The washer of claim8 wherein the radially inner surface of the fin axially extended fromsaid limiting portion is undercut.
 10. The washer of claim 9 wherein theradially inner surface of said radially outer skirt portion is undercut.11. The washer of claim 8 wherein similar skirt portions and a finsimilar to the fin axially extended from said limiting portion areformed on the other of its opposite faces.
 12. The washer of claim 11wherein the radially inner surfaces both of said similar radially outerskirt portions and of said similar fins are undercut.